Remote capture of multiple deposit items

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and apparatuses for processing an image that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured by a remote capture device. For example, some embodiments provide a method that includes: (a) receiving an image that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured by a remote capture device; (b) identifying, based at least partially on the image, deposit item information associated with the multiple deposit items; and/or (c) crediting an account based at least partially on the deposit item information.

FIELD

In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methodsand apparatuses for processing an image that shows multiple deposititems, where the image was captured by a remote capture device.

BACKGROUND

Today, most financial institutions require their customers to visittraditional deposit locations, such as banking centers, automated tellermachines (ATMs), and the like, in order to deposit cash, checks, and/orother deposit items. However, traveling to and from a traditionaldeposit location in order to make a deposit is increasingly viewed byfinancial institution customers as burdensome, time-consuming, andwasteful. Thus, there is a need to provide methods and apparatuses thatenable financial institution customers to engage in deposit transactionsin ways that are easier, more efficient, and less costly than the waysdisclosed in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

In general terms, embodiments of the present invention are directed tothe concept of depositing multiple deposit items in a single deposittransaction by capturing an image of the multiple deposit items with aremote capture device (e.g., a camera phone, flatbed scanner, etc.) andthen crediting an account based at least partially on that image. Assuch, the user of the remote capture device can engage in a singledeposit transaction that involves multiple deposit items, all withouthaving to travel to a traditional deposit location (e.g., bankingcenter, ATM, etc.) and without having to capture an individual image ofeach deposit item involved in the deposit transaction.

For example, some embodiments of the present invention are embodied asan apparatus that includes a processor, where the processor isconfigured to: (a) receive an image that shows multiple deposit items,where the image was captured by a remote capture device; and (b)identify, based at least partially on the image, deposit iteminformation associated with the multiple deposit items.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the remote capture device includesat least one of a mobile phone, a digital camera, a portable scanner, ora component thereof. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodimentsof the apparatus, the multiple deposit items include at least one of acheck, a deposit slip, or a money order. Further, in some embodiments,the deposit item information includes information associated with atleast one of a magnetic ink character recognition (MICR) line, anendorsement, a watermark, an account number, a payee identity, a payoridentity, a financial institution identity, a deposit amount, anappearance of a deposit item, a type of a deposit item, or the number ofthe multiple deposit items.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the processor is housed in theremote capture device. In other embodiments of the apparatus, theprocessor is housed in a server located remotely from the remote capturedevice. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the deposititem information includes the number of the multiple deposit items, andthe processor is configured to identify the number of the multipledeposit items based at least partially on the processor identifying thenumber of quadrilaterals shown in the image. In other embodiments, thedeposit item information includes the number of the multiple deposititems, and the processor is configured to identify the number of themultiple deposit items based at least partially on the processoridentifying the number of MICR lines shown in the image.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the processor is configured to:(a) prompt a user of the remote capture device to capture a first imageof the multiple deposit items that shows the fronts of the multipledeposit items; and (b) prompt the user of the remote capture device tocapture a second image of the multiple deposit items that shows thebacks of the multiple deposit items.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to prompt a user of theremote capture device to provide the number of the multiple deposititems. In other embodiments, the processor is configured to prompt auser of the remote capture device to provide the type of at least one ofthe deposit items in the multiple deposit items. In still otherembodiments of the apparatus, the processor is configured to prompt auser of the remote capture device to provide the deposit amount of atleast one of the deposit items in the multiple deposit items.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the processor isconfigured to prompt a user of the remote capture device to arrange themultiple deposit items in a predetermined configuration before capturingthe image.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the processor is configured todetermine, based at least partially on the deposit item information,that a portion of the image represents at least part of the front or atleast part of the back of a single deposit item in the multiple deposititems. For example, in some embodiments, the processor is configured todetermine that the portion of the image represents the front of thesingle deposit item based at least partially on the processoridentifying a MICR line shown in the portion of the image. As anotherexample, in some embodiments, the processor is configured to determinethat the portion of the image represents the back of the single deposititem based at least partially on the processor identifying anendorsement shown in the portion of the image.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments of the apparatus, theprocessor is configured to: (a) receive a second image of the multipledeposit items, where the second image was captured by the remote capturedevice; (b) determine that a first portion of the first image and afirst portion of the second image collectively represents at least partof the front and at least part of the back of a first deposit item inthe multiple deposit items; and (c) determine that a second portion ofthe first image and a second portion of the second image collectivelyrepresents at least part of the front and at least part of the back of asecond deposit item in the multiple deposit items.

In some embodiments, the processor is configured to determine that thefirst portion of the first image and the first portion of the secondimage collectively represents at least part of the front and at leastpart of the back of the first deposit item based at least partially oninput received from a user of the remote capture device via the remotecapture device. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, theprocessor is configured to determine that the first portion of the firstimage and the first portion of the second image collectively representsat least part of the front and at least part of the back of the firstdeposit item by determining that deposit item information shown in thefirst portion of the first image corresponds to deposit item informationshown in the first portion of the second image.

In some embodiments of the apparatus, the processor is configured totransmit the deposit item information to a server located remotely fromthe processor, where the server is configured to credit an account basedat least partially on the deposit item information. In other embodimentsof the apparatus, the processor is configured to credit an account basedat least partially on the deposit item information.

As another example, some embodiments of the present invention areembodied as a method that includes: (a) receiving, by a processor, animage that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured bya remote capture device; and (b) identifying, using the processor andbased at least partially on the image, deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items. Additionally oralternatively, in some embodiments, the method further includescapturing, by the remote capture device, the image that shows themultiple deposit items.

As still another example, some embodiments of the present invention areembodied as a computer program product that includes a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium. In some embodiments, the non-transitorycomputer-readable medium includes computer-executable program codeportions stored therein, where the computer-executable program codeportions include: (a) a first program code portion configured to receivean image that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was capturedby a remote capture device; and (b) a second program code portionconfigured to identify, based at least partially on the image, deposititem information associated with the multiple deposit items.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described some embodiments of the present invention ingeneral terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for crediting an account based at least partially on an imagethat shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured by aremote capture device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for determining that a portion of an image represents at leastpart of the front or at least part of the back of a deposit item, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for determining that a portion of a first image and a portionof a second image collectively represents at least part of the front andat least part of the back of a single deposit item, in accordance withan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for enhancing an unsatisfactory portion of an image, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for prompting a user of a remote capture device to capture asecond image to replace an unsatisfactory portion of a first image, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a general process flow of anapparatus for prompting a user of a remote capture device to capture animage that shows multiple deposit items relative to a grid, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a display associated with aremote capture device, where the display includes a grid having gridportions, and where each grid portion shows the front of a singledeposit item therein before an image of the multiple deposit items iscaptured, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7A is a block diagram illustrating a display associated with aremote capture device, where the display includes a grid having gridportions, and where each grid portion shows the back of a single deposititem therein before an image of the multiple deposit items is captured,in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating technical components of a systemfor processing an image that shows multiple deposit items, where theimage was captured by a remote capture device, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a mixed block and flow diagram illustrating a system forcrediting an account based at least partially on a remotely capturedimage that shows multiple deposit items, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, embodiments of the present invention are shown. Indeed, thepresent invention may be embodied in many different forms and should notbe construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather,these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfyapplicable legal requirements. Also, it will be understood that, wherepossible, any of the advantages, features, functions, and/or operationalaspects of any of the embodiments of the present invention describedand/or contemplated herein may be included in any other embodiment ofthe present invention described and/or contemplated herein, and/or viceversa. In addition, where possible, any terms expressed in the singularform herein are meant to also include the plural form and/or vice versa,unless explicitly stated otherwise. Accordingly, the terms “a” and/or“an” shall mean “one or more,” even though the phrase “one or more” isalso used herein. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art in view ofthis disclosure, the present invention may be embodied as an apparatus(including, for example, a system, machine, device, computer programproduct, and/or the like), as a method (including, for example, abusiness process, computer-implemented process, and/or the like), or asany combination of the foregoing. Accordingly, embodiments of thepresent invention may take the form of an entirely software embodiment(including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), an entirelyhardware embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardwareaspects that may generally be referred to herein as a “system.”Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of acomputer program product that includes a computer-readable storagemedium having computer-executable program code portions stored therein.As used herein, a processor, which may include one or more processors,may be “configured to” perform a certain function in a variety of ways,including, for example, by having one or more general-purpose circuitsperform the function by executing one or more computer-executableprogram code portions embodied in a computer-readable medium, and/or byhaving one or more application-specific circuits perform the function.

It will be understood that any suitable computer-readable medium may beutilized. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limitedto, a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as a tangibleelectronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, and/orsemiconductor system, device, and/or other apparatus. For example, insome embodiments, the non-transitory computer-readable medium includes atangible medium such as a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, arandom access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasableprogrammable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), a compact discread-only memory (CD-ROM), and/or some other tangible optical and/ormagnetic storage device. In other embodiments of the present invention,however, the computer-readable medium may be transitory, such as, forexample, a propagation signal including computer-executable program codeportions embodied therein.

It will also be understood that one or more computer-executable programcode portions for carrying out operations of the present invention mayinclude object-oriented, scripted, and/or unscripted programminglanguages, such as, for example, Java, Perl, Smalltalk, C++, SAS, SQL,Python, Objective C, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the one ormore computer-executable program code portions for carrying outoperations of embodiments of the present invention are written inconventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C”programming languages and/or similar programming languages. The computerprogram code may alternatively or additionally be written in one or moremulti-paradigm programming languages, such as, for example, F#.

It will further be understood that some embodiments of the presentinvention are described herein with reference to flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams of apparatuses and/or methods. It will beunderstood that each block included in the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks included in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by oneor more computer-executable program code portions. These one or morecomputer-executable program code portions may be provided to a processorof a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, and/or someother programmable data processing apparatus in order to produce aparticular machine, such that the one or more computer-executableprogram code portions, which execute via the processor of the computerand/or other programmable data processing apparatus, create mechanismsfor implementing the steps and/or functions represented by theflowchart(s) and/or block diagram block(s).

It will also be understood that the one or more computer-executableprogram code portions may be stored in a transitory and/ornon-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., a memory, etc.) that candirect a computer and/or other programmable data processing apparatus tofunction in a particular manner, such that the computer-executableprogram code portions stored in the computer-readable medium produce anarticle of manufacture including instruction mechanisms which implementthe steps and/or functions specified in the flowchart(s) and/or blockdiagram block(s)

The one or more computer-executable program code portions may also beloaded onto a computer and/or other programmable data processingapparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on thecomputer and/or other programmable apparatus. In some embodiments, thisproduces a computer-implemented process such that the one or morecomputer-executable program code portions which execute on the computerand/or other programmable apparatus provide operational steps toimplement the steps specified in the flowchart(s) and/or the functionsspecified in the block diagram block(s). Alternatively,computer-implemented steps may be combined with operator- and/orhuman-implemented steps in order to carry out an embodiment of thepresent invention.

In general terms, embodiments of the present invention relate to methodsand apparatuses for processing an image, where the image shows multipledeposit items, and where the image was captured by a remote capturedevice. For example, some embodiments of the present invention areconfigured to identify, based at least partially on the image, deposititem information associated with the multiple deposit items shown in theimage. As another example, some embodiments of the present invention areadditionally configured to credit an account based at least partially onthe deposit item information that was identified based at leastpartially on the image. As still another example, some embodiments ofthe present invention are configured to determine that a portion of theimage represents at least part of the front or at least part of the backof a deposit item shown in the image. As a further example, someembodiments are configured to determine that a portion of a first imageand a portion of a second image collectively represents at least part ofa front and at least part of a back of the same deposit item. As anotherexample, some embodiments are configured to enhance a portion of anunsatisfactory portion of an image that shows multiple deposit itemsand/or to prompt a remote capture device user to capture a second imageto replace the unsatisfactory portion of the image. As yet anotherexample, some embodiments of the present invention are configured toprompt a user of a remote capture device to capture an image that showsmultiple deposit items relative to a grid. As such, each of theembodiments described and/or contemplated herein relate to remotelycapturing images of multiple deposit items, such that those multipledeposit items can be deposited without the remote capture device userhaving to travel to a traditional deposit location.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a general process flow 100 of an apparatus forcrediting an account based at least partially on an image that showsmultiple deposit items is provided, in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. As represented by the block 110, the apparatus isconfigured to receive an image that shows multiple deposit items, wherethe image was captured by a remote capture device. As represented by theblock 120, the apparatus is also configured to identify, based at leastpartially on the image, deposit item information associated with themultiple deposit items. In addition, as represented by the block 130,the apparatus is configured to credit an account based at leastpartially on the deposit item information.

Accordingly, the apparatus having the process flow 100 enables a user ofa remote capture device to deposit multiple deposit items in a singledeposit transaction by capturing the image of the multiple deposit itemswith the remote capture device. As such, the user of the remote capturedevice can engage in a single deposit transaction that involves multipledeposit items without having to travel to a traditional deposit location(e.g., banking center, ATM, etc.) and without having to capture anindividual image of each deposit item involved in the deposittransaction.

It will be understood that the apparatus having the process flow 100(and/or the process flows 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, and/or 900, etc.) caninclude or be embodied as one or more separate apparatuses (e.g., theremote capture device 820 and/or the deposit server 830 shown in FIG. 8,etc.). For example, in some embodiments, one apparatus (e.g., the remotecapture device 820, etc.) is configured to perform the portions of theprocess flow 100 represented by the block 110, and a second apparatus(e.g., the deposit server 830, etc.) is configured to perform theportions represented by the blocks 120-130. As another example, in someembodiments, one apparatus (e.g., the remote capture device 820, etc.)is configured to perform the portions of the process flow 100represented by the blocks 110-120, and a second apparatus (e.g., thedeposit server 830, etc.) is configured to perform the portionrepresented by the block 130. As still another example, in someembodiments, a single apparatus (e.g., the deposit server 830, etc.) isconfigured to perform each and every portion of the process flow 100. Itwill also be understood that, in some embodiments, a remote capturedevice (e.g., the remote capture device 820, etc.) is configured toperform one or more (or all) of the portions of the process flow 100,and that in some embodiments, that remote capture device is the remotecapture device referred to in the block 110. Further, it will beunderstood that, in some embodiments, a first portion of an apparatus isconfigured to perform one or more portions of the process flow 100 andone or more other portions of the same apparatus are configured toperform the one or more other portions of the process flow 100. Forexample, in some embodiments, an image capturing device housed in amobile phone is configured to perform the portion of the process flow100 represented by the block 110, and a processor housed in the mobilephone and operatively connected to the image capturing device isconfigured to perform the portions of the process flow 100 representedby the blocks 120 and 130.

Regarding the block 110, the phrase “remote capture device,” as usedherein, refers to an apparatus that is configured to capture one or moreimages. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the remotecapture device refers to an apparatus that houses one or more electronicimage sensors, digital cameras, and/or other image capturing devices.For example, in some embodiments, the remote capture device refers to amobile phone having a digital camera housed therein. However, in otherembodiments, the remote capture device refers to the image capturingdevice itself. Using the example above, in some embodiments, the remotecapture device refers to the digital camera that is housed in the mobilephone. As a variation of this example, in still other embodiments, theremote capture device refers to a digital camera that is not housed inthe mobile phone, but is instead located adjacent, near, and/orotherwise proximate to the mobile phone (e.g., located within arm'sreach of the mobile phone, etc.) and is operatively connected to (e.g.,via wireline and/or wireless connection) the mobile phone. Thus, it willbe understood that the remote capture device can be embodied as anapparatus (e.g., a mobile phone that houses a digital camera, etc.), asa component of the apparatus (e.g., a digital camera housed in a mobilephone, etc.), or as a peripheral device associated with the apparatus(e.g., a digital camera operatively connected to and located proximatelyto a mobile phone, etc.).

In addition, it will also be understood that the remote capture deviceis so named because it is typically located remotely from a traditionaldeposit location, such as, for example, a financial institution, an ATM,and/or the like. Instead, the remote capture device is typically locatedin a home, an office, on a person, and/or away from a traditionaldeposit location. In addition, because the remote capture device istypically involved in the performance of the process flow 100 (e.g.,because the apparatus having the process flow 100 includes and/or isembodied as the remote capture device, because the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 is operatively connected to the remote capture device,etc.), the remote capture device enables its user(s) to transform anylocation where the remote capture device is located into a depositlocation. It will also be understood that the remote capture device istypically owned, operated, serviced, held, carried, possessed,controlled, and/or maintained (collectively referred to herein as“maintained” for simplicity) by a customer of a financial institution(e.g., a customer of the financial institution that maintains theaccount referred to in the block 130, a customer of a differentfinancial institution, etc.).

Examples of remote capture devices include, but are not limited to,cameras (e.g., digital cameras, video cameras, webcams, etc.), scanners(e.g., flatbed scanners, handheld scanners, etc.), mobile phones (e.g.,feature phones, smart phones, camera phones, etc.), personal digitalassistants (PDAs), tablet computers (e.g., iPads®, etc.), portable mediaplayers (e.g., iPods®, etc.), electronic image sensors (e.g., chargecoupled devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)sensors, etc.), as well as, in some embodiments, one or more componentsthereof and/or one or more peripheral devices associated therewith. Ofcourse, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, the remotecapture device is configured to perform one or more other functions(e.g., sending and/or receiving one or more communications, etc.) inaddition to capturing one or more images. It will be further understoodthat, in some embodiments, the remote capture device refers to awireline, non-portable, and/or non-handheld device, such as, forexample, a flatbed scanner and/or a webcam. However, in otherembodiments, the remote capture device refers to a wireless, portable,and/or handheld device, such as, for example, a digital camera, handheldscanner, and/or mobile phone.

Further regarding the block 110, it will be understood that the phrase“multiple deposit items,” as used herein, refers to two or more deposititems. It will be understood that each of the deposit items shown in theimage may not be shown in their entirety. For example, in someembodiments, the image may show the entire front of a first deposit itembut only 75% of the front of a second deposit item and only 65% of theback of a third deposit item. Also, it will be understood that themultiple deposit items can all be the same type, or the multiple deposititems can be different types. Examples of types of deposit itemsinclude, but are not limited to, checks (e.g., personal checks, businesschecks, cashier's checks, credit card convenience checks, etc.), moneyorders, deposit slips, and/or the like.

Still further regarding the block 110, it will be understood that theapparatus having the process flow 100 can be configured to receive theimage in any way. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus isconfigured to receive the image because the apparatus having the processflow 100 is also configured to capture the image (i.e., the apparatushaving the process flow 100 includes and/or is embodied as the remotecapture device referred to in the block 110). As another example, insome embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 100 isconfigured to receive the image in one or more communications from aseparate apparatus (e.g., from a remote capture device located remotelyfrom and operatively connected to the apparatus having the process flow100, etc.). It will be understood that, in such embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 100 can be configured to receive theimage directly from the remote capture device and/or indirectly (i.e.,via one or more separate apparatuses) from the remote capture device.

Regarding the block 120, it will be understood that the term “identify,”as used herein, is meant to have its ordinary meaning (i.e., itsordinary dictionary definition) in addition to the one or more ordinarymeanings of the following terms: discover, learn, calculate, observe,read, decide, determine, collect, conclude, verify, ascertain, and/orthe like. Thus, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the processflow 100 is configured to identify deposit item information associatedwith the multiple deposit items by reading the deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items directly from the image. Forexample, in some embodiments, the apparatus is configured to identifythat a deposit amount associated with one deposit item in the multipledeposit items is $100 because “$100” appears on the deposit item shownin the image. However, in other embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 is not able to read the deposit item informationdirectly from the image and must determine that information in anotherway. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the processflow 100 is configured to identify first deposit item information bycomparing second deposit item information that is shown in the image toinformation that is, for example, stored in a datastore. As a specificexample, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 100is configured to identify a payee identity that is not shown in theimage by comparing a MICR line that is shown in the image to accountinformation that is stored in an account datastore (e.g., the accountdatastore 838 shown in FIG. 8, etc.).

As another example, in some embodiments where the deposit iteminformation referred to in the block 120 includes the number of themultiple deposit items, the apparatus having the process flow 100 isconfigured to identify the number of the multiple deposit items based atleast partially on the apparatus identifying the number ofquadrilaterals shown in the image. As still another example, in someembodiments where the deposit item information referred to in the block120 includes the number of the multiple deposit items, the apparatushaving the process flow 100 is configured to identify the number of themultiple deposit items based at least partially on the apparatusidentifying the number of the MICR lines shown in the image. As anotherexample, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 100is configured to identify the deposit item information based at leastpartially on one or more inputs provided by the user of the remotecapture device. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus havingthe process flow 100 is configured to receive (and/or prompt the user ofthe remote capture device for) information associated with at least oneof the number of the multiple deposit items, the type of at least one ofthe deposit items in the multiple deposit items, and/or the depositamount of at least one of the deposit items in the multiple deposititems.

It will also be understood that the phrase “deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items” refers to informationassociated with (e.g., information describing, information about,information identifying, etc.) any one or more of the deposit items inthe multiple deposit items. Further, it will be understood that, in someembodiments, the deposit item information includes any information shownon a deposit item itself, such as, for example, information associatedwith a MICR line, endorsement, watermark, account number, payeeidentity, payor identity, financial institution identity, depositamount, and/or the like. However, in other embodiments, the deposit iteminformation additionally or alternatively includes informationassociated with the appearance (e.g., size, shape, color, texture, etc.)of a deposit item, the type of a deposit item (e.g., business check,money order, etc.), the number of multiple deposit items (i.e., thenumber of the multiple deposit items shown in the image), and/or thelike. It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, the deposititem information identified for each of the deposit items in themultiple deposit item is the same type of deposit item information(e.g., the deposit amount for each deposit item, etc.), whereas, inother embodiments, the type of deposit item information identified isdifferent for one or more of the deposit items in the multiple deposititems (e.g., the deposit amount for the first deposit item, the MICRline for the second deposit item, etc.).

As referred to herein, it will be understood that a MICR line is a lineof characters having a standardized font (e.g., E-13B and CMC-7),location, and size that is typically printed in magnetic ink and/ortoner at or near the bottom of a deposit item. For example, somecountries, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia,Columbia, Venezuela, and the United Kingdom, have adopted E-13B as thestandardized font for the MICR line, while other countries, such asBrazil, France, and several other European countries, have adopted CMC-7as the standardized font for the MICR line. In the United States, thestandards for the MICR line are developed and mandated by the AmericanNational Standards Institute (ANSI). In many instances, the charactersin the MICR line include a routing number and an account number that canbe used to identify the payor bank and the payor's bank account at thepayor bank from which the funds will be drawn.

Further regarding the block 120, it will also be understood that, insome embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 100 isconfigured to identify the deposit item information shortly afterreceiving the image. For example, in some embodiments where the remotecapture device referred to in the block 110 is configured to perform theportions of the process flow 100 represented by the blocks 110 and 120,the remote capture device is configured to identify the deposit iteminformation within moments, seconds, and/or minutes (e.g., withinapproximately 5 minutes, etc.) of capturing the image and/or withinmoments, second, and/or minutes of receiving the image from the imagecapturing device associated with the remote capture device. It will alsobe understood that, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 is configured to identify the deposit item informationautomatically (i.e., without human intervention). However, in otherembodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 100 is configured toreceive (and/or prompt for) at least some deposit item information fromthe user of the remote capture device.

Regarding the block 130, it will be understood that the apparatus havingthe process flow 100 is configured to credit the account in any knownway. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the processflow 100 is configured to transfer funds from a payor account identifiedin the deposit item information, in an amount identified in the deposititem information, and to a payee account identified in the deposit iteminformation. It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 100 includes and/or is embodied as anapparatus configured to receive financial transaction information (e.g.,from individual transactions, from a batch of transaction information,etc.) and/or initiate, execute, complete, and/or otherwise facilitatethe execution of those financial transactions. In some embodiments wherethe apparatus having the process flow 100 includes and/or is embodied asa server operatively connected to the remote capture device referred toin the block 110, the server is configured to credit the account itself.However, in other embodiments where the apparatus having the processflow 100 includes and/or is embodied as the remote capture devicereferred to the block 110, the remote capture device is configured toeither credit the account itself or transmit the deposit iteminformation to a server that is configured to credit the account.

It will further be understood that the apparatus having the process flow100 can be configured to perform any of the portions of the process flow100 represented by the blocks 110-130 upon or after one or moretriggering events (which, in some embodiments, is one or more of theother portions of the process flow 100). As used herein, it will beunderstood that a “triggering event” refers to an event thatautomatically triggers the execution, performance, and/or implementationof a triggered action, either immediately, nearly immediately, orsometime after (e.g., within minutes, etc.) the occurrence of thetriggering event. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus havingthe process flow 100 is configured such that the apparatus identifyingthe deposit item information (the triggering event) automatically andimmediately or nearly immediately triggers the apparatus to credit theaccount (the triggered action). In some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 100 is additionally or alternatively configuredto automatically identify the deposit item information (triggeredaction) immediately or nearly immediately after receiving the image(triggering event).

Also, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, a predeterminedtime and/or the passage of a predetermined period of time may serve totrigger one or more of the portions represented by the blocks 110-130.It will also be understood that, in accordance with some embodiments,the apparatus having the process flow 100 is configured to automaticallyperform one or more of the portions of the process flow 100 representedby the blocks 110-130, whereas in other embodiments, one or more of theportions of the process flow 100 represented by the blocks 110-130require and/or involve human intervention. Of course, in addition to theapparatus having the process flow 100, it will be understood that any ofthe embodiments described and/or contemplated herein can involve one ormore triggering events, triggered actions, automatic actions, and/orhuman actions.

In addition, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 100 (and/or a user thereof) isconfigured to perform each portion of the process flow 100, from startto finish, within moments, seconds, and/or minutes (e.g., withinapproximately 10-15 minutes, etc.). In some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 100 can be configured to perform one or moreportions of the process flow 100 in real time, in substantially realtime, and/or at one or more predetermined times. Further, it will beunderstood that the number, order, and/or content of the portions of theprocess flow 100 are exemplary and may vary.

It will also be understood that the apparatus having the process flow100 (like all of the other apparatuses described herein) can beconfigured to perform one or more additional and/or alternativefunctions. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 is configured to capture the image that shows themultiple deposit items (e.g., because the apparatus having the processflow 100 includes and/or is embodied as the remote capture devicereferred to in the block 110). As another example, in some embodiments,the apparatus is configured to prompt a user of the remote capturedevice to provide, to the remote capture device and/or to the apparatushaving the process flow 100, deposit item information (e.g., the numberof the multiple deposit items, deposit amounts, types of the multipledeposit items, payee identities, etc.) associated with the multipledeposit items before, after, or substantially simultaneous withcapturing an image of the multiple deposit items.

As still another example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 is configured to prompt a user of the remote capturedevice to arrange the multiple deposit items in a predeterminedconfiguration (e.g., lay on a flat surface, in a line, in a 4×3 grid,etc.) before capturing an image of the multiple deposit items. As afurther example, in some embodiments where the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 includes the remote capture device referred to in theblock 110 and a deposit server (e.g., the deposit server 830 illustratedin FIG. 8, etc.), the remote capture device, after capturing/receivingthe image and identifying the deposit item information therein, isconfigured to transmit the deposit item information to the depositserver located remotely from the remote capture device, so that thedeposit server can credit the account based at least partially on thedeposit item information. It will further be understood that theapparatus having the process flow 100 can be configured to perform anyone or more of the portions of any one or more of the embodimentsdescribed and/or contemplated herein, including, for example, any one ormore of the portions of the process flows 200, 300, 400, 500, 600,and/or 900 described later herein.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a general process flow 200 of an apparatus fordetermining that a portion of an image represents at least part of thefront or at least part of the back of a deposit item is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It will beunderstood that the process flow 200 is generally the same as theprocess flow 100, except that the process flow 200 includes determiningthat a portion of the image represents at least part of the front or atleast part of the back of a single deposit item in the multiple deposititems (sometimes referred to herein as the “front/back determination”for simplicity), as represented by the block 230. It will be understoodthat, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 200 isconfigured to make the front/back determination based at least partiallyon the apparatus identifying deposit item information from that portionof the image. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 200 is configured to determine that the portion of theimage represents at least part of the front of a single deposit itembased at least partially on the apparatus identifying a MICR line inthat portion of the image. As another example, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 200 is configured to determine that aportion of the image represents at least part of the back of a singledeposit item based at least partially on the apparatus identifying anendorsement in that portion of the image.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a general process flow 300 of an apparatus fordetermining that a portion of a first image and a portion of a secondimage collectively represents at least part of the front and at leastpart of the back of a single deposit item is provided, in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention. As represented by the block310, the apparatus having the process flow 300 is configured to receivea first image that shows multiple deposit items, where the first imagewas captured by a remote capture device. As represented by the block320, the apparatus is also configured to receive a second image thatshows the multiple deposit items, where the second image was captured bythe remote capture device. Then, as represented by the block 330, theapparatus is configured to determine that a first portion of the firstimage and a first portion of the second image collectively represents atleast part of the front and at least part of the back of a first deposititem in the multiple deposit items. In addition, as represented by theblock 340, the apparatus having the process flow 300 is also configuredto determine that a second portion of the first image and a secondportion of the second image collectively represents at least part of thefront and at least part of the back of a second deposit item in themultiple deposit items. For simplicity, the portions of the process flow300 represented by the blocks 330 and 340 are sometimes referred toherein as “collective front and back determinations.”

Regarding the blocks 310 and 320, it will be understood that theapparatus having the process flow 300 is configured to perform theseportions of the process flow in generally the same way as the apparatushaving the process flow 100 is configured to perform the portion of theprocess flow represented by the block 110. In addition, it will beunderstood that at least some of the multiple deposit items shown in thefirst image are the same as the multiple deposit items shown in thesecond image. Also, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, thefirst image shows at least part of the fronts of each of the multipledeposit items, whereas the second image shows at least part of the backsof each of the multiple deposit items (and/or vice versa). However, inother embodiments, the first image and the second image each shows atleast part of the front of a deposit item and at least part of the backof another deposit item. Further, it will be understood that, betweenthe first and the second images, at least part of the front of a deposititem is shown and at least part of the back of the same deposit item isshown, thereby collectively capturing at least part of the front and atleast part of the back of the same deposit item.

Regarding the blocks 330 and 340, the apparatus having the process flow300 is configured, in some embodiments, to make a collective front andback determination based at least partially on input received from auser of the remote capture device (e.g., via the remote capture device,etc.). For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 300 is configured to receive information about the positionof the front of a deposit item shown in the first image and informationabout the position the back of the same deposit item shown in the secondimage.

Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the apparatus havingthe process flow 300 is configured to make a collective front and backdetermination by determining that deposit item information shown in aportion of the first image corresponds to (e.g., matches, is associatedwith, etc.) deposit item information shown in a portion of the secondimage. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus is configured tomake a collective front and back determination by determining that thesize of a deposit item (e.g., the size of a business check, etc.) shownin the first image corresponds the size of a deposit item shown in thesecond image. As another example, in some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 300 is configured to make a collective front andback determination by determining that an identifier (e.g., a watermark,a logo, etc.) located on a deposit item shown in the first imagecorresponds to an identifier located on a deposit item shown in thesecond image. As still another example, in some embodiments, theapparatus is configured to make a collective front and backdetermination based at least partially on determining that a signaturelocated on a deposit item shown in the first image corresponds to apayee identity located on a deposit item shown in the second image.

It will be understood that the apparatus having the process flow 300(like all of the other apparatuses described herein) can be configuredto perform one or more additional or alternative functions. For example,in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 300 isadditionally configured to: (a) prompt a user of the remote capturedevice to capture the first image of the multiple deposit items; and (b)prompt the user to capture the second image of the multiple deposititems. In some embodiments, the apparatus can be further configured to:(a) prompt the user to capture the first image of the multiple deposititems, such that the first image shows the fronts of each of themultiple deposit items; and (b) prompt the user to capture the secondimage of the multiple deposit items, such that the second image showsthe backs of each of the multiple deposit items.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a general process flow 400 of an apparatus forenhancing an unsatisfactory portion of an image is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Like theapparatus having the process flow 100 described in connection with FIG.1, the apparatus having the process flow 400 is configured to receive animage that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured bya remote capture device, as represented by the block 110 in the processflow 400. As represented by the block 420, the apparatus having theprocess flow 400 is also configured to determine that a first portion ofthe image is satisfactory for identifying deposit item informationtherein. As represented by the block 430, the apparatus is furtherconfigured to determine that a second portion of the image isunsatisfactory for identifying deposit item information therein. Asrepresented by the block 440, the apparatus having the process flow 400is also configured to enhance the second portion of the image, resultingin an enhanced image portion. Finally, as represented by the block 450,the apparatus is configured to determine that the enhanced image portionis satisfactory for determining deposit item information therein.

Regarding the blocks 420 and 430, the terms “satisfactory” and“unsatisfactory,” as used herein, typically refer to the quality of theone or more portions of the image and/or to whether the apparatus havingthe process flow 400 can identify deposit item information in, from,and/or based at least partially on those one or more image portions. Forexample, in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 400is configured to determine that the quality of the second portion of theimage is such that deposit item information cannot be identifiedtherein. In such embodiments, the second portion of the image may beupside down, unfocused, blurry, distorted, discolored, darkened, toosmall, and/or otherwise unreadable.

Regarding the block 440, the term “enhance,” as used herein, typicallyrefers to at least partially changing a portion of the image such thatthe apparatus having the process flow 400 can identify deposit iteminformation in, from, and/or based at least partially on the resultingenhanced image portion. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 400 is configured to enhance the second portionof the image by focusing, cropping, orienting, sizing, scaling, shaping,and/or coloring the second portion of the image. As another example, insome embodiments, the apparatus is configured to enhance the secondportion of the image by creating a bi-tonal image of that portion, bycorrecting the geometry of that portion, by converting that portion togray-scale, by creating a binarized image of that portion, and/or thelike. Accordingly, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 400 is configured to enhance one ormore portions of the image that are unsatisfactory (to the apparatushaving the process flow 400) for identifying deposit item informationtherein while leaving alone the one or more other portions of the imagethat are satisfactory (to the apparatus having the process flow 400) foridentifying deposit item information therein. Of course, in otherembodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 400 is configured toenhance the one or more satisfactory portions of the image (in the sameway or in a different way) before, after, or substantially simultaneouswith the apparatus enhancing the one or more unsatisfactory portions ofthe image.

In some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 400 isconfigured to identify the one or more unsatisfactory portions of theimage and/or to enhance the one or more unsatisfactory portions of theimage by using one or more MICR lines shown in the image. For example,in some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 400 isconfigured to determine whether the apparatus can read one or more ofthe MICR lines shown in the image. If not (e.g., because the MICRline(s) are too small, too dark, blurry, etc.), the apparatus can beconfigured to enhance one or more portions of the image (e.g., byenlarging, lightening, focusing those image portions, etc.) until theapparatus can read those one or more MICR lines.

As another example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 400 is configured to determine whether a MICR line shown inthe image is within a predefined distance from an edge of a deposit itemshown in the image. For example, the apparatus may determine whether theMICR line is within a predefined distance from the bottom edge of thedeposit item and/or whether the MICR line is contained within apredefined distance from any edge of the deposit item. In one exemplaryembodiment, the predefined distance is a distance within the range of ahalf inch and two and a half inches, inclusive, such as, for example,one and a half inches. In another embodiment, the predefined distance isapproximately one and a half inches.

Based on determining whether the MICR line is within a predetermineddistance from an edge of the deposit item shown in the image, theapparatus having the process flow 400 can be configured to determine,for example, the orientation of the deposit item shown in the image. Asan example, in some embodiments, the apparatus is configured todetermine that a deposit item is “upside down” in the image (and/or thatthe image is upside down) based at least partially on determining that aMICR line is located near the top of a deposit item shown in the image.Accordingly, the apparatus can be configured to enhance the portion ofthe image that shows the upside down deposit item (and/or enhance theentire upside down image) by correcting the orientation (e.g., byreorienting and/or rotating, etc.) of the unsatisfactory image portion(and/or the entire image). In this way, the apparatus having the processflow 400 can be configured to determine the “top” and “bottom” of adeposit item shown in the image and correct one or more portions of theimage (if needed) based at least partially on these determination(s). Itwill also be understood that the apparatus having the process flow 400can be configured to determine what deposit item information is located“above” and “below” the MICR line by determining where the MICR line isrelative to an edge of a deposit item shown in the image.

Further, like the apparatus having the process flow 100, it will beunderstood that the apparatus having the process flow 400 can beconfigured to identify deposit item information associated with themultiple deposit items based at least partially on one or moresatisfactory portions of the image and/or based at least partially onone or more enhanced portions of the image. In some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 400 is further configured to credit anaccount based at least partially on this deposit item information.

In addition, in some embodiments, the apparatus is configured toidentify the deposit item information associated with the one or moresatisfactory image portions and/or credit the account based at leastpartially thereon, all before and/or simultaneous with the apparatusenhancing the one or more unsatisfactory portions of the image. As such,the apparatus having the process flow 400 can be configured to initiate,execute, complete, and/or otherwise facilitate the deposit of the one ormore deposit items shown in the satisfactory portions of the imagebefore and/or simultaneous with enhancing the one or more unsatisfactoryportions of the image that show the one or more other deposit items.This particular feature means that the apparatus having the process flow400 can be configured to initiate, execute, complete, and/or otherwisefacilitate the deposit transaction involving the multiple deposit itemswithout requiring the user of the remote capture device to captureanother image of one or more of the multiple deposit items.

Of course, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 400 is configured to identify thedeposit item information associated with the one or more satisfactoryportions of the image and/or credit the account based at least partiallythereon, all after the apparatus enhances the one or more unsatisfactoryportions of the image. In addition, in some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 400 is configured to credit the account based atleast partially on the deposit item information associated with theenhanced image portion before, after, or substantially simultaneous withcrediting the account based at least partially on the deposit iteminformation associated with the satisfactory portion of the image.

It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, in addition to orinstead of enhancing the second portion of the image, an apparatus ofthe present invention is configured to perform one or more otherfunctions based at least partially on determining that the secondportion of the image is unsatisfactory for determining deposit iteminformation therein. For example, referring now to FIG. 5, a generalprocess flow 500 of an apparatus for prompting a user of a remotecapture device to capture a second image to replace an unsatisfactoryportion of a first image is provided, in accordance with an embodimentof the present invention. Like the apparatus having the process flow 100described in connection with FIG. 1, the apparatus having the processflow 500 is configured to receive an image that shows multiple deposititems, where the image was captured by a remote capture device, asrepresented by the block 110 in the process flow 500. Like the apparatushaving the process flow 400 described in connection with FIG. 4, theapparatus having the process flow 500 is configured to determine that afirst portion of the image is satisfactory for identifying deposit iteminformation therein, as represented by the block 420 in the process flow500. Also like the apparatus having the process flow 400, the apparatushaving the process flow 500 is configured to determine that a secondportion of the image is unsatisfactory for identifying deposit iteminformation therein, as represented by the block 430 in the process flow500. Additionally, the apparatus having the process flow 500 isconfigured to prompt a user of the remote capture device to capture asecond image to replace the second portion of the image, such that thesecond image is satisfactory for identifying deposit item informationtherein, as represented by the block 540. Additionally, in someembodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 500 is furtherconfigured to determine that the second image is satisfactory fordetermining deposit item information therein.

Regarding the block 540, it will be understood that the apparatus havingthe process flow 500 can be configured to prompt the user of the remotecapture device in any way. For example, in some embodiments, theapparatus is configured to communicate one or more instructions (e.g.,on a display associated with a remote capture device, through a speakerassociated with the remote capture device, etc.), such that the one ormore instructions notify the user that the second portion of the imageis unsatisfactory (to the apparatus having the process flow 500) foridentifying deposit item information therein and/or to notify the userthat a second image is needed to replace the unsatisfactory secondportion of the image. Thus, it will be understood that the apparatushaving the process flow 500 is configured to prompt the remote capturedevice user to correct the defects in the second portion of the image bycapturing the second image.

It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, the second portionof the image shows a blurry, unfocused, and/or otherwise unsatisfactoryimage of one or more deposit items. Thus, it will be understood that, inaccordance with some embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow500 is configured to prompt the user to capture a second image thatshows a clear, focused, and/or otherwise satisfactory image of the sameone or more deposit items that were unsatisfactorily shown in the secondportion of the original image. Further, it will be understood that, insome embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 500 isconfigured to identify deposit item information based at least partiallyon the satisfactory first portion of the image and/or credit an accountbased at least partially on that deposit item information, all beforeand/or simultaneous with the apparatus prompting the user to capture thesecond image to replace the unsatisfactory second portion of the firstimage. Of course, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, theapparatus having the process flow 500 is configured to identify thedeposit item information associated with the one or more satisfactoryportions of the image and/or credit the account based at least partiallythereon, all after the apparatus prompts the user to capture the secondimage to replace the second portion of the first image. In addition, insome embodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 500 isconfigured to credit the account based at least partially on the deposititem information associated with the second image before, after, orsubstantially simultaneous with crediting the account based at leastpartially on the deposit item information associated with the firstportion of the first image.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a general process flow 600 of an apparatus forprompting a user of a remote capture device to capture an image thatshows multiple deposit items relative to a grid is provided, inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As representedby the block 610, the apparatus having the process flow 600 isconfigured to display a grid on a display associated with a remotecapture device, where the grid includes a plurality of grid portions. Asrepresented by the block 620, the apparatus having the process flow 600is also configured to prompt a user of the remote capture device toarrange the multiple deposit items, and/or to position and/or operatethe remote capture device, such that each deposit item appears in asingle grid portion of the display before capturing an image of themultiple deposit items. Additionally, like the apparatus having theprocess flow 100 described in connection with FIG. 1, the apparatushaving the process flow 600 is also configured to receive an image thatshows the multiple deposit items, where the image was captured by theremote capture device, as represented by the block 110 in the processflow 600.

It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the user of the remotecapture device can arrange the multiple deposit items (e.g., in a 3×2grid on a flat surface, etc.), such that each of the deposit itemsappears within a single grid portion of the display. In otherembodiments, the user of the remote capture device can additionally oralternatively position the remote capture device (e.g., by moving theremote capture device relative to the multiple deposit items, etc.),such that each of the deposit items appears within a single grid portionof the display. In still other embodiments, the user of the remotecapture device can additionally or alternatively operate the remotecapture device (e.g., by operating a zoom, focus, and/or other featureassociated with the remote capture device, etc.), such that each of themultiple deposit items appears within a single grid portion of thedisplay.

It will be understood that prompting the user of the remote capturedevice to position the multiple deposit items, and/or to position and/oroperate the remote capture device, as described above can have severalbenefits. For example, in some embodiments, the apparatus having theprocess flow 600 can more easily identify deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items if that apparatus knows whereand/or how each deposit item will appear in the image (e.g., where theapparatus expects each deposit item to appear in a corresponding gridportion, etc.). In addition, prompting the user of the remote capturedevice to ensure that a single deposit item appears in a single gridportion increases the probability that the resulting captured image willnot show overlapping deposit items, disoriented deposit items, and/orthe like. As such, it will be understood that the grid used by theapparatus having the process flow 600 facilitates the processing of theimage that shows the multiple deposit items, in addition to helping theuser of the remote capture device properly capture that image.

It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, the apparatushaving the process flow 600 is configured to prompt the user of theremote capture device to provide the number of the multiple deposititems, and then to display a number of grid portions on the displaybased at least partially on the number provided by the user. In otherembodiments, the apparatus having the process flow 600 is additionallyor alternatively configured to display a number of grid portions on thedisplay based at least partially on a resolving power (e.g., number ofpixels, pixel density, lens strength, etc.) associated with the remotecapture device. Like the other apparatuses described and/or contemplatedherein, it will be understood that the apparatus having the process flow600 can include and/or be embodied as the remote capture device referredto in the block 610. Similarly, the apparatus having the process flow600 can additionally or alternatively include and/or be embodied as aserver located remotely from the remote capture device referred to inthe block 610.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 7A, a display 700 associated with a remotecapture device is provided, in accordance with a more-detailedembodiment of the present invention. It will be understood that thedisplay 700 represents an exemplary embodiment of the display referredto the process flow 600. Accordingly, the display 700 includes a grid710 that has four grid portions 711, 713, 715, and 717 included therein.It will be understood that the number and shape of the grid portions711-717 shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A are exemplary and may vary. For example,in other embodiments, the display associated with the remote capturedevice may be configured to display five grid portions in a 5×1 (or 1×5)configuration on the display. As another example, in some embodiments, adisplay is configured to display one or more circular, triangular,square, and/or oval-shaped grid portions, instead of, or in addition to,the grid portions shown in FIGS. 7 and 7A. In addition, it will beunderstood that, in accordance with some embodiments, a first gridportion shown in a display associated with a remote capture device canhave a different size, shape, orientation, etc. than a second gridportion shown in the same display.

As shown in FIG. 7, the display 700 shows the fronts of four checks 712,714, 716, and 718, where each check front appears in a single gridportion of the display 700. It will be understood that FIG. 7 shows thefronts of the checks 712-718 as those checks appear in the display 700before an image of those check fronts is captured by the remote capturedevice associated with the display 700. As shown in FIG. 7A, the display700 shows the backs of the same four checks 712-718 that were shown inFIG. 7, and each check back also appears in a single grid portion of thedisplay 700. It will be further understood that FIG. 7A shows the backsof the checks 712-718 as those checks appear in the display 700 beforean image of those check backs is captured by the remote capture deviceassociated with the display 700.

In accordance with some embodiments, a user of the remote capture deviceassociated with the display 700 places the checks 712-718 on a flatsurface and operates and/or positions the remote capture device, suchthat each of the check fronts appears in a corresponding single gridportion of the display 700, as shown in FIG. 7 (i.e., the checks arelying face up, are arranged in a 2×2 grid, are oriented the same way,and are not overlapping). Then, the user captures an image with theremote capture device, where the image shows the fronts of the checks712-718 in generally the same way as those check fronts appear in FIG.7. Thereafter, the remote capture device user flips the checks over onthe flat surface and operates and/or positions the remote capturedevice, such that each of the check backs appears in a single gridportion of the display 700, as shown in FIG. 7A (i.e., the checks arelying face down, are arranged in the 2×2 grid, are oriented in the sameway, and are not overlapping). Then, the user captures a second imagewith the remote capture device, where the image shows the backs of thechecks 712-718 in generally the same way as those check backs appear inFIG. 7A.

It will be understood that the apparatus that processes the first andsecond images described above (i.e., the apparatus having the processflow 600) can be configured to determine that a check front shown in thefirst image corresponds to a check back shown in the second image basedat least partially on determining that the check front and the checkback were positioned in the same grid portion of the display 700 beforethe first and second images were captured by the remote capture device.That apparatus can be additionally or alternatively configured todetermine that a check front corresponds to a check back based at leastpartially on determining that the check front is positioned in the firstimage in generally the same location as the position of the check backin the second image.

In other embodiments, the apparatus that processes the first and secondimages can be configured to determine that a check front corresponds toa check back based at least partially on one or more indicationsreceived from the user of the remote capture device that captured thefirst and second images. For example, the apparatus can receive (and/orprompt for) one or more indications from the user that describe at leastsome of the positions of the check fronts and at least some of thepositions of the corresponding check backs in the first and secondimages. For example, if the front of the check 712 is positioned in thegrid portion 711 for the first image (i.e., as shown in FIG. 7), and theback of the check 712 is positioned in the grid portion 717 for thesecond image (i.e., where the back of the check 718 is shown in FIG.7A), the remote capture device user can indicate these positions to theapparatus that processes the first and second images, therebyfacilitating the execution of the deposit transaction.

In some alternative embodiments of the present invention, the user ofthe remote capture device can also use one or more physical and/ortangible objects to arrange and/or facilitate the arrangement of thechecks before one or more images of the checks are captured. Forexample, in some embodiments, the user inserts (and/or is prompted by anapparatus (e.g., the apparatus having the process flow 600, etc.) toinsert) each of the checks for deposit into corresponding sleeves of atransparent jacket, thereby ensuring that the checks are arranged in apredetermined (e.g., grid-like, etc.) configuration and/or that the oneor more images will not show any overlapping checks. In accordance withsuch embodiments, instead of being said to illustrate the display 700associated with a remote capture device, FIGS. 7 and 7A can be said toillustrate the transparent jacket 700 having the plurality of sleeves711, 713, 715, and 717, such that each sleeve carries a check (i.e., oneof the checks 712-718) therein. In such embodiments, once each check isinserted into a corresponding sleeve, the remote capture device usercan: (a) capture a first image of the transparent jacket having thechecks positioned therein; (b) flip the transparent jacket over; and (c)capture a second image of the transparent jacket having the checkspositioned therein, thereby ensuring, between the first and secondimages, that the front and the back of each check in the jacket iscaptured. In some embodiments, instead of flipping the jacket over, theuser of the remote capture device can flip each check over within itscorresponding sleeve before capturing the second image. In addition, itwill be understood that, in accordance with some embodiments, thetransparent jacket is used along with the display 700 having the grid710 shown in FIG. 7, but that in other embodiments, the transparentjacket is used instead of the display to arrange the checks for remotecapture.

Also, in some embodiments, the apparatus that processes the first andsecond images of the checks shown in the transparent jacket can beconfigured to determine that a check front corresponds to a check backbased at least partially on determining that the check front in thefirst image is positioned in the same sleeve as the check back in thesecond image. In some embodiments, the phrase “same sleeve” means that asleeve shown in the first image is positioned in the same location inthe second image (e.g., where the user does not flip the jacket over butdoes flip each check over within its corresponding sleeve, etc.).However, in other embodiments, the phrase “same sleeve” means that thesecond image is a mirror image of the first image, such that, forexample, a sleeve positioned in the upper left hand corner of the firstimage is positioned in the upper right hand corner of the second image(e.g., where the user flips the transparent jacket over instead offlipping each check over within its corresponding sleeve, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 8, a system 800 is provided for processing animage that shows multiple deposit items, where the image was captured bya remote capture device, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention. As illustrated, the exemplary system 800 includes a network810, a remote capture device 820, and a deposit server 830. Also shownare a remote capture device user 805 and an image 807 that shows thechecks 801, 802, and 803 (i.e., the multiple deposit items). It will beunderstood that each of the checks 801, 802, and 803 includes thedeposit amounts 811, 812, and 813 of $25, $75, and $150, respectively,and that each of the checks 801, 802, and 803 also includes deposit iteminformation that is not shown (e.g., information associated with a payeeidentity, an account number, a MICR line, etc.). Also, it will beunderstood that the remote capture device user 805 has access to theremote capture device 820 and to the checks 801, 802, and 803. It willfurther be understood that user 805 captured the image 807 by using theremote capture device 820. In addition, it will be understood that, inthis example, the user 805 intends to deposit the sum of the depositamounts 811, 812, and 813 (i.e., $250) into the checking account 809. Itwill also be understood that the checking account 809 is associated withthe user 805 and is maintained by a bank (not shown) for the benefit ofthat user 805, who is a customer of that bank. Still further, it will beunderstood that, in this example, the remote capture device 820 ismaintained by the remote capture device user 805, and that the depositserver 830 is maintained by the same bank that maintains the checkingaccount 809.

As shown in FIG. 8, the remote capture device 820 and the deposit server830 are each operatively and selectively connected to the network 810,which may include one or more separate networks. In addition, thenetwork 810 may include one or more interbank networks, telephonenetworks, telecommunication networks, local area networks (LANs), widearea networks (WANs), and/or global area networks (GANs) (e.g., theInternet, etc.). It will also be understood that the network 810 may besecure and/or unsecure and may also include wireless and/or wirelinetechnology.

The remote capture device 820 may include any computerized apparatusthat can be configured to perform any one or more of the functions ofthe remote capture device 820 described and/or contemplated herein. Itwill also be understood that the remote capture device 820 can includeand/or be embodied as any remote capture device described and/orcontemplated herein. As illustrated in FIG. 8, in accordance with someembodiments of the present invention, the remote capture device 820includes a communication interface 822, a processor 824, a memory 826having a remote capture application 827 stored therein, an imagecapturing device 828, and a user interface 829. In such embodiments, theprocessor 824 is operatively and selectively connected to thecommunication interface 822, the user interface 829, the image capturingdevice 828, and the memory 826.

Each communication interface described herein, including thecommunication interface 822, generally includes hardware, and, in someinstances, software, that enables a portion of the system 800, such asthe remote capture device 820, to send, receive, and/or otherwisecommunicate information to and/or from the communication interface ofone or more other portions of the system 800. For example, thecommunication interface 822 of the remote capture device 820 may includea modem, network interface controller (NIC), network adapter, networkinterface card, and/or some other electronic communication device thatoperatively connects the remote capture device 820 to another portion ofthe system 800, such as, for example, the deposit server 830.

Each processor described herein, including the processor 824, generallyincludes circuitry for implementing the audio, visual, and/or logicfunctions of that portion of the system 800. For example, the processormay include a digital signal processor device, a microprocessor device,and/or various analog-to-digital converters, digital-to-analogconverters, and/or other support circuits. Control and signal processingfunctions of the apparatus in which the processor resides may beallocated between these one or more devices according to theirrespective capabilities. The processor may also include functionality tooperate one or more software programs based at least partially oncomputer-executable program code portions thereof, which may be stored,for example, in a memory device, such as in the remote captureapplication 827 of the memory 826 of the remote capture device 820.

Each memory device described herein, including the memory 826 forstoring the remote capture application 827 and other information, mayinclude any computer-readable medium. For example, the memory mayinclude volatile memory, such as volatile random access memory (RAM)having a cache area for the temporary storage of data. Memory may alsoinclude non-volatile memory, which may be embedded and/or may beremovable. The non-volatile memory may additionally or alternativelyinclude an EEPROM, flash memory, and/or the like. The memory may storeany one or more of portions of information used by the apparatus inwhich it resides to implement the functions of that apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 8, the memory 826 includes the remote captureapplication 827. It will be understood that, in some embodiments, theremote capture application 827 is configured to initiate, execute,complete, and/or otherwise facilitate any one or more portions of anyone or more embodiments described and/or contemplated herein, such as,for example, one or more of the portions of the process flow 100described herein. For example, in some embodiments, the remote captureapplication 827 is configured to receive an image (e.g., the image 807,etc.) that shows multiple deposit items (e.g., the checks 801, 802, and803, etc.) and/or to identify, based at least partially on the image,deposit item information (e.g., the deposit amounts 811, 812, and 813,etc.) associated with the multiple deposit items. As another example, insome embodiments, the remote capture application 827 is additionally oralternatively configured to credit an account (e.g., the account 809,etc.) based at least partially on the deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items.

As still another example, in some embodiments, the remote captureapplication 827 is configured to determine that a portion of an imagerepresents at least part of the front or at least part of the back of asingle deposit item, and/or that a portion of a first image and aportion of a second image collectively represents at least part of thefront and at least part of the back of a single deposit item. As afurther example, in some embodiments, the remote capture application 827is configured to determine whether an image is satisfactory foridentifying deposit item information therein. In some embodiments, theremote capture application 827 is configured to enhance a portion of animage (e.g., any one or more portions of the image 807, etc.), resultingin an enhanced image portion that is satisfactory for identifyingdeposit item information therein.

In some embodiments, the remote capture application 827 is additionallyor alternatively configured to perform one or more functions other thanthose previously described herein. For example, in some embodiments, theremote capture application 827 is configured to require the user 805 toidentify and/or authenticate himself/herself to the remote captureapplication 827 before the remote capture application 827 will initiate,execute, complete, and/or otherwise facilitate any of the functionsdescribed and/or contemplated herein. For example, in some embodiments,the remote capture application 827 is configured to identify and/orauthenticate the user 805 based at least partially on anusername/password, personal identification number (PIN), smart card,token (e.g., USB token, etc.), biometric information, and/or some otherinformation and/or device that the user 805 provides to the remotecapture application 827. Additionally or alternatively, in someembodiments, the remote capture application 827 is configured toidentify and/or authenticate the user 805 by using one-, two-, ormulti-factor identification and/or authentication. For example, in someembodiments, the remote capture application 827 requires two-factorauthentication, such that the remote capture device user 805 mustprovide the correct smart card and enter the correct PIN in order toauthenticate the user 805 to the remote capture application 827.

It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, the remote captureapplication 827 is configured to enable the remote capture device user805 and/or the remote capture device 820 to communicate with one or moreother portions of the system 800, and/or vice versa. In someembodiments, the remote capture application 827 is configured to accessan online banking account. Further it will be understood that, in someembodiments, the remote capture application 827 is created, provided,controlled, and/or maintained by the bank that maintains the depositserver 830 and/or by an individual or business (not shown). For example,in some embodiments, the remote capture device 820 is embodied as aniPhone®, and the remote capture application 827 is embodied as an “app”that was created by a bank and/or by a software maker for execution onthe iPhone®. Also, it will be understood that, in some embodiments, theremote capture application 827 includes one or more computer-executableprogram code portions for instructing the processor 824 to perform oneor more of the functions of the remote capture application 827 and/or ofthe remote capture device 820 described and/or contemplated herein. Insome embodiments, the remote capture application 827 may include and/oruse one or more network and/or system communication protocols.

Also shown in FIG. 8 is the image capturing device 828, which mayinclude an electronic image sensor, a digital camera, and/or some otherimage capturing device, including any one or more of the image capturingdevices described and/or contemplated herein. It will also be understoodthat the image capturing device 828 can include and/or be embodied asone or more image capturing devices. It will further be understood thatthe image capturing device 828 is configured to capture one or moreimages (e.g., the image 807, etc.) and/or communicate those one or moreimages to the processor 824. In some embodiments, the image capturingdevice 828 can be configured to take still images and/or video.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, the image capturingdevice 828 includes one or more features, including, but not limited to,a zoom, focus, flash, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the imagecapturing device 828 has a resolving power, which, for example, definesthe detail and/or resolution with which an image can be captured by theimage capturing device 828. In some embodiments, the resolving powerassociated with the image capturing device 828 is measured in the numberof pixel sensors (sometimes referred to merely as “pixels”) used by theimage capturing device 828 in order to capture the image.

It will also be understood that the remote capture device 820 alsoincludes the user interface 829. The user interface 829 can includeand/or be embodied as one or more user interfaces. In some embodiments,the user interface 829 includes one or more user output devices forpresenting information to the remote capture device user 805. In someembodiments, the user interface 829 additionally or alternativelyincludes one or more user input devices, such as, for example, one ormore buttons, keys, dials, levers, directional pads, joysticks,keyboards, mouses, accelerometers, controllers, microphones, touchpads,touchscreens, haptic interfaces, scanners, biometric readers, motiondetectors, cameras, and/or the like for receiving information from theremote capture device user 805.

FIG. 8 also illustrates the deposit server 830, in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention. The deposit server 830 may includeany computerized apparatus that can be configured to perform any one ormore of the functions of the deposit server 830 described and/orcontemplated herein. In some embodiments, for example, the depositserver 830 includes and/or is embodied as one or more servers,mainframes, engines, network devices, front end systems, back endsystems, and/or the like. In some embodiments, such as the oneillustrated in FIG. 8, the deposit server 830 includes a communicationinterface 832, a processor 834, and a memory 836, which includes adeposit application 837 and an account datastore 838 stored therein. Asshown, the communication interface 832 is operatively and selectivelyconnected to the processor 834, which is operatively and selectivelyconnected to the memory 836.

It will be understood that, in some embodiments, the deposit application837 is configured to initiate, execute, complete, and/or otherwisefacilitate one or more of the portions of one or more of the embodimentsdescribed and/or contemplated herein, such as, for example, one or moreof the portions of the process flows 100 and/or 200 described herein.For example, in some embodiments, the deposit application 837 isconfigured to receive an image that shows multiple deposit items (e.g.,the image 807 that shows the checks 801, 802, and 803, etc.) and/or toidentify, based at least partially on the image, deposit iteminformation associated with the multiple deposit items (e.g., thedeposit amounts 811, 812, and 813, etc.). As another example, in someembodiments, the deposit application 837 is additionally oralternatively configured to credit an account (e.g., the account 809,etc.) based at least partially on the deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items. As still another example, insome embodiments, the deposit application 837 is configured to determinethat a portion of an image represents at least part of the front or atleast part of the back of a single deposit item, and/or that a portionof a first image and a portion of a second image collectively representsat least part of the front and at least part of the back of a singledeposit item. As such, it will be understood that, in accordance withsome embodiments, the deposit application 837 can be configured toperform any one or more of the functions previously described herein asbeing performed by the remote capture application 827 (and/or viceversa).

It will also be understood that, in some embodiments, the depositapplication 837 is configured to enable the deposit server 830 tocommunicate with one or more other portions of the system 800, such as,for example, the account datastore 838 and/or the remote capture device820, and/or vice versa. It will further be understood that, in someembodiments, the deposit application 837 is configured to initiate,execute, complete, and/or otherwise facilitate one or more financialtransactions and/or to maintain one or more financial accounts (e.g.,the checking account 809, etc.) stored in the account datastore 838. Insome embodiments, the deposit application 837 includes one or morecomputer-executable program code portions for instructing the processor834 to perform one or more of the functions of the deposit application837 and/or deposit server 830 described and/or contemplated herein. Insome embodiments, the deposit application 837 may include and/or use oneor more network and/or system communication protocols.

In addition to the deposit application 837, the memory 836 also includesthe account datastore 838. It will be understood that the accountdatastore 838 can be configured to store any type and/or amount ofinformation. For example, in some embodiments, the account datastore 838includes information associated with one or more transactions, financialaccounts, and/or the like. In some embodiments, the account datastore838 may also store any information related to processing images capturedby remote capture devices. In some embodiments, the account datastore838 additionally or alternatively stores information associated withonline banking and/or online banking accounts.

It will be understood that the account datastore 838 may include any oneor more storage devices, including, but not limited to, datastores,databases, and/or any of the other storage devices typically associatedwith a computer system. It will also be understood that the accountdatastore 838 may store information in any known way, such as, forexample, by using one or more computer codes and/or languages,alphanumeric character strings, data sets, figures, tables, charts,links, documents, and/or the like. Further, in some embodiments, theaccount datastore 838 may include information associated with one ormore applications, such as, for example, the deposit application 837. Itwill also be understood that, in some embodiments, the account datastore838 provides a real-time or near real-time representation of theinformation stored therein, so that, for example, when the processor 834accesses the account datastore 838, the information stored therein iscurrent or nearly current.

Of course, it will be understood that the embodiment illustrated in FIG.8 is exemplary and that other embodiments may vary. For example, in someembodiments, some or all of the portions of the system 800 are combinedinto a single portion. Specifically, in some embodiments, the remotecapture device 820 and the deposit server 830 are combined into a singleremote capture and deposit device that is configured to perform all ofthe same functions of those separate portions as described and/orcontemplated herein. Likewise, in some embodiments, some or all of theportions of the system 800 are separated into two or more distinctportions. In addition, the various portions of the system 800 may bemaintained by the same or separate parties. For example, in someembodiments, a bank may maintain the deposit server 830, whereas theremote capture device user 805 may maintain the remote capture device820. However, in other embodiments, a bank may maintain both the depositserver 830 and the remote capture device 820.

It will also be understood that the system 800 (and/or one or moreportions of the system 800) may include and/or implement any embodimentof the present invention described and/or contemplated herein. Forexample, in some embodiments, the system 800 (and/or one or moreportions of the system 800) is configured to implement any one or moreof the embodiments of the process flow 100 described and/or contemplatedherein in connection with FIG. 1, any one or more of the embodiments ofthe process flow 200 described and/or contemplated herein in connectionwith FIG. 2, any one or more of the embodiments of the process flow 300described and/or contemplated herein in connection with FIG. 3, any oneor more of the embodiments of the process flow 400 described and/orcontemplated herein in connection with FIG. 4, any one or more of theembodiments of the process flow 500 described and/or contemplated hereinin connection with FIG. 5, any one or more of the embodiments of theprocess flow 600 described and/or contemplated herein in connection withFIG. 6, any one or more of the embodiments described and/or contemplatedherein in connection with FIG. 7, and/or any one or more of theembodiments of the system 900 described and/or contemplated herein inconnection with FIG. 9.

As a specific example, in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention, (1) the remote capture device 820 is configured to receivethe image 807 that shows the multiple deposit items 801, 802, and 803,where the image 807 was captured by the remote capture device 820, asrepresented by the block 110 in FIG. 1; (2) the remote capture device820 is configured to identify, based at least partially on the image807, the deposit item information 811, 812, and 813 associated with themultiple deposit items 801, 802, and 803, as represented by the block120; and (3) the deposit server 830 is configured to credit the account809 based at least partially on the deposit item information 811, 812,and 813, as represented by the block 130. It will be understood that, inaccordance with some embodiments, the remote capture device 820 and thedeposit server 830 are each configured to send and/or receiveinformation (e.g., one or more images, messages, instructions, etc.) toand/or from each other, such that information sent from a firstapparatus to a second apparatus can trigger that second apparatus toperform one or more portions of any one or more of the embodimentsdescribed and/or contemplated herein.

Referring now to FIG. 9, a mixed block and flow diagram of a system 900is provided, in accordance with a more-detailed embodiment of thepresent invention. It will be understood that the system 900 isconfigured to credit an account based at least partially on a remotelycaptured image that shows multiple deposit items. It will also beunderstood that the system 900 includes a remote capture device 901(e.g., the remote capture device 820 in FIG. 8, etc.) and a depositserver 903 (e.g., the deposit server 830, etc.), where the remotecapture device 901 is operatively connected to the deposit server 903.It will further be understood that, in this embodiment, a user (notshown) positions and/or operates the remote capture device 901 tocapture one or more images that show the multiple deposit items (notshown in FIG. 9) and to transmit those one or more images to the depositserver 903, all in order to initiate, execute, complete, and/orotherwise facilitate the deposit of the deposit amounts associated withthe multiple deposit items into an account associated with the user.

As represented by the block 905, the remote capture device 901 promptsthe user to indicate (to the remote capture device 901) the number ofthe multiple deposit items for deposit and the deposit amount for eachdeposit item in the multiple deposit item. Then, as represented by theblock 910, the remote capture device 901 prompts the user to capture afirst image that shows the fronts of the multiple deposit items.Thereafter, the user operates the remote capture device 901 to capturethe first image that shows the fronts of the multiple deposit items.After the first image is captured, the remote capture device prompts theuser to capture a second image that shows the backs of the multipledeposit items, as represented by the block 920. Then, as represented bythe block 925, the user operates the remote capture device 901 tocapture the second image that shows the backs of the multiple deposititems. After the first and second images are captured, the remotecapture device 901 determines that the first image and the second imageare satisfactory for identifying deposit item information therein, asrepresented by the block 930. Thereafter, the remote capture device 901transmits the first image and the second image to the deposit server 903for additional processing, as represented by the block 935.

After receiving the first and second images from the remote capturedevice 901, the deposit server 903 identifies deposit item information(e.g., information associated with a MICR line, deposit amount, payeeidentity, endorsement, etc.) therein, as represented by the block 940.Then, as represented by the block 945, the deposit server 903 determineswhich portions of the first image correspond to which portions of thesecond image based at least partially on the deposit item informationidentified therein. Finally, as represented by the block 950, thedeposit server 903 credits an account based at least partially on thedeposit item information identified from the first and second images.

Of course, it will be understood that the embodiment illustrated in FIG.9 is exemplary and that other embodiments may vary. For example, in someembodiments, instead of the deposit server 903, the remote capturedevice 901 is configured to identify the deposit item information fromthe first and second images and/or determine which portions of the firstimage correspond to which portions of the second image. As anotherexample, in some embodiments, the remote capture device 901 is onlyconfigured to capture the first image, capture the second image, andtransmit the first and second images to the deposit server 903, and thedeposit server 903 is configured to perform one or more of the otherportions of the process flow shown in FIG. 9. As still another example,in some embodiments, the system 900 includes one or more apparatuses inaddition to the remote capture device 901 and the deposit server 903,where those one or more additional apparatuses are configured to performone or more of the portions of the process flow shown in FIG. 9 and/orone or more additional or alternative functions. In addition, it will beunderstood that the system 900 (and/or one or more portions of thesystem 900) may include and/or implement any embodiment of the presentinvention described and/or contemplated herein.

While certain exemplary embodiments have been described and shown in theaccompanying drawings, it is to be understood that such embodiments aremerely illustrative of and not restrictive on the broad invention, andthat this invention not be limited to the specific constructions andarrangements shown and described, since various other changes,combinations, omissions, modifications and substitutions, in addition tothose set forth in the above paragraphs, are possible. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate that various adaptations, modifications, andcombinations of the just described embodiments can be configured withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention. Therefore, it isto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

1. An apparatus comprising: a processor configured to: receive an imagethat shows multiple deposit items, wherein the image was captured by aremote capture device; and identify, based at least partially on theimage, deposit item information associated with the multiple deposititems.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the remote capture devicecomprises at least one of a mobile phone, a digital camera, a portablescanner, or a component thereof.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe multiple deposit items comprise at least one of a check, a depositslip, or a money order.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deposititem information comprises information associated with at least one of aMICR line, an endorsement, a watermark, an account number, a payeeidentity, a payor identity, a financial institution identity, a depositamount, an appearance of a deposit item, a type of a deposit item, orthe number of the multiple deposit items.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor is housed in the remote capture device.
 6. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is housed in a serverlocated remotely from the remote capture device.
 7. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the deposit item information comprises the number ofthe multiple deposit items, and wherein the processor is configured toidentify the number of the multiple deposit items based at leastpartially on the processor identifying the number of quadrilateralsshown in the image.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the deposititem information comprises the number of the multiple deposit items, andwherein the processor is configured to identify the number of themultiple deposit items based at least partially on the processoridentifying the number of MICR lines shown in the image.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to: prompt auser of the remote capture device to capture a first image of themultiple deposit items that shows the fronts of the multiple deposititems; and prompt the user of the remote capture device to capture asecond image of the multiple deposit items that shows the backs of themultiple deposit items.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theprocessor is configured to prompt a user of the remote capture device toprovide the number of the multiple deposit items.
 11. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to prompt a user of theremote capture device to provide the type of at least one of the deposititems in the multiple deposit items.
 12. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to prompt a user of the remotecapture device to provide the deposit amount of at least one of thedeposit items in the multiple deposit items.
 13. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the processor is configured to prompt a user of the remotecapture device to arrange the multiple deposit items in a predeterminedconfiguration before capturing the image.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the processor is configured to determine, based at leastpartially on the deposit item information, that a portion of the imagerepresents at least part of the front or at least part of the back of asingle deposit item in the multiple deposit items.
 15. The apparatus ofclaim 14, wherein the processor is configured to determine that theportion of the image represents the front of the single deposit itembased at least partially on the processor identifying a MICR line shownin the portion of the image.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein theprocessor is configured to determine that the portion of the imagerepresents the back of the single deposit item based at least partiallyon the processor identifying an endorsement shown in the portion of theimage.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configuredto: receive a second image of the multiple deposit items, wherein thesecond image was captured by the remote capture device; determine that afirst portion of the first image and a first portion of the second imagecollectively represents at least part of the front and at least part ofthe back of a first deposit item in the multiple deposit items; anddetermine that a second portion of the first image and a second portionof the second image collectively represents at least part of the frontand at least part of the back of a second deposit item in the multipledeposit items.
 18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the processor isconfigured to determine that the first portion of the first image andthe first portion of the second image collectively represents at leastpart of the front and at least part of the back of the first deposititem based at least partially on input received from a user of theremote capture device via the remote capture device.
 19. The apparatusof claim 17, wherein the processor is configured to determine that thefirst portion of the first image and the first portion of the secondimage collectively represents at least part of the front and at leastpart of the back of the first deposit item by determining that deposititem information shown in the first portion of the first imagecorresponds to deposit item information shown in the first portion ofthe second image.
 20. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor isconfigured to transmit the deposit item information to a server locatedremotely from the processor, wherein the server is configured to creditan account based at least partially on the deposit item information. 21.The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to creditan account based at least partially on the deposit item information. 22.A method comprising: receiving, by a processor, an image that showsmultiple deposit items, wherein the image was captured by a remotecapture device; and identifying, using the processor and based at leastpartially on the image, deposit item information associated with themultiple deposit items.
 23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:capturing, by the remote capture device, the image that shows themultiple deposit items.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein theprocessor is housed in the remote capture device.
 25. The method ofclaim 22, wherein the processor is housed in a server located remotelyfrom the remote capture device.
 26. The method of claim 22, whereinidentifying the deposit item information associated with the multipledeposit items comprises: identifying the number of quadrilaterals shownin the image; and identifying the number of the multiple deposit itemsbased at least partially on the number of the quadrilaterals.
 27. Themethod of claim 22, wherein identifying the deposit item informationassociated with the multiple deposit items comprises: identifying thenumber of MICR lines shown in the image; and identifying the number ofthe multiple deposit items based at least partially on the number of theMICR lines.
 28. The method of claim 22, further comprising: prompting auser of the remote capture device to capture a first image of themultiple deposit items that shows the fronts of the multiple deposititems; and prompting the user of the remote capture device to capture asecond image of the multiple deposit items that shows the backs of themultiple deposit items.
 29. The method of claim 22, further comprising:prompting a user of the remote capture device to provide the number ofthe multiple deposit items.
 30. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: prompting a user of the remote capture device to provide thetype of at least one of the deposit items in the multiple deposit items.31. The method of claim 22, further comprising: prompting a user of theremote capture device to provide the deposit amount of at least one ofthe deposit items in the multiple deposit items.
 32. The method of claim22, further comprising: prompting a user of the remote capture device toarrange the multiple deposit items in a predetermined configurationbefore capturing the image.
 33. The method of claim 22, furthercomprising: determining, based at least partially on the deposit iteminformation, that a portion of the image represents at least part of thefront or at least part of the back of a single deposit item in themultiple deposit items.
 34. The method of claim 22, further comprising:receiving, by the processor, a second image of the multiple deposititems, wherein the second image was captured by the remote capturedevice; determining, using the processor, that a first portion of thefirst image and a first portion of the second image collectivelyrepresents at least part of the front and at least part of the back of afirst deposit item in the multiple deposit items; and determining, usingthe processor, that a second portion of the first image and a secondportion of the second image collectively represents at least part of thefront and at least part of the back of a second deposit item in themultiple deposit items.
 35. The method of claim 22, further comprising:transmitting the deposit item information to a server located remotelyfrom the processor, wherein the server is configured to credit anaccount based at least partially on the deposit item information. 36.The method of claim 22, further comprising: crediting, by the processor,an account based at least partially on the deposit item information. 37.A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readablemedium, wherein the non-transitory computer-readable medium comprisescomputer-executable program code portions stored therein, wherein thecomputer-executable program code portions comprise: a first program codeportion configured to receive an image that shows multiple deposititems, wherein the image was captured by a remote capture device; and asecond program code portion configured to identify, based at leastpartially on the image, deposit item information associated with themultiple deposit items.
 38. The computer program product of claim 37,wherein the second code portion is configured to: identify the number ofMICR lines shown in the image; and identify the number of the multipledeposit items based at least partially on the number of the MICR lines.39. The computer program product of claim 37, further comprising: athird program code portion configured to prompt a user of the remotecapture device to capture a first image of the multiple deposit itemsthat shows the fronts of the multiple deposit items; and a fourthprogram code portion configured to prompt the user of the remote capturedevice to capture a second image of the multiple deposit items thatshows the backs of the multiple deposit items.
 40. The computer programproduct of claim 37, further comprising: a third program code portionconfigured to prompt a user of the remote capture device to provide thenumber of the multiple deposit items.
 41. The computer program productof claim 37, further comprising: a third program code portion configuredto prompt a user of the remote capture device to provide the depositamount of at least one of the deposit items in the multiple deposititems.
 42. The computer program product of claim 37, further comprising:a third program code portion configured to determine, based at leastpartially on the deposit item information, that a portion of the imagerepresents at least part of the front or at least part of the back of asingle deposit item in the multiple deposit items.
 43. The computerprogram product of claim 37, further comprising: a third program codeportion configured to receive a second image of the multiple deposititems, wherein the second image was captured by the remote capturedevice; a fourth program code portion configured to determine that afirst portion of the first image and a first portion of the second imagecollectively represents at least part of the front and at least part ofthe back of a first deposit item in the multiple deposit items; and afifth program code portion configured to determine that a second portionof the first image and a second portion of the second image collectivelyrepresents at least part of the front and at least part of the back of asecond deposit item in the multiple deposit items.